Course Syllabus

KINGDOM COLLEGE
School of Counseling and Psychology
Fall 2018
Course: PSY200 – GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Living Waters Counseling Services, Headland, AL
Faculty Name: Rita Fike, M.S.
rfike@kingdomcollege.net
(334) 726-4521

Purpose: To introduce students to the scientific study and interpretation of human behavior, including such topics as sensation and perception, cognitive functioning, biological basis of behavior, social psychology, lifespan development, abnormal psychology, and religious aspects of psychology.

Pre-requisites: None

Methods of Instruction:
Methods of instruction may include, but are not limited to: lecture, supervised practical application, discussion, field trips, videos, guest speakers, modeling, and computerized/internet instruction.

Required Reading:
Meier, Paul D., Minirth, Frank B., Wichern, Frank B., Ratcliff, Donald E. (1991). Introduction
to Psychology and Counseling: Christian Perspectives and Applications. Grand Rapids, Michigan. Baker Academic.

Content:
Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology
Chapter 2: The Biological Basis of Behavior
Chapter 3: Sensation & Perception
Chapter 4: Emotions
Chapter 5: Motivation
Chapter 6: Learning
Chapter 7: Memory, Cognition, and Self-Esteem
Chapter 8: Intelligence
Chapter 9: Social Psychology
Chapter 10: Child Development
Chapter 11: Adolescent and Adult Development
Chapter 12: Personality
Chapter 13: The Psychology of Religion
Chapter 14: Abnormal Psychology
Chapter 15: Psychotherapy and Personal Counseling
Chapter 16: Group and Family Counseling

Other Materials
Documents and articles posted to Canvas.

Goals and Objectives of Course
Goal 1: Recognize the modern definition of psychology and explain what psychologists do.
Goal 2: Summarize the role of empirical knowledge in psychology.
Goal 3: Explain how the nervous system communicates internally, linking world and brain.
Goal 4: Describe how the nervous system initiates and coordinates behavior efficiently.
Goal 5: Describe the different states of consciousness and how these states affect behavior.
Goal 6: Recognize how consciousness can be altered bio-chemically.
Goal 7: Describe selected views on the process of learning.
Goal 8: Recognize the nature of memory.
Goal 9: Recognize the processes of interpersonal communication and effective problem solving.
Goal 10: Recognize the general nature and measurement of intelligence.
Goal 11: Explain various theoretical perspectives of motivation and emotion.
Goal 12: Recognize and summarize how an individual develops physically, intellectually,
socially, and spiritually.
Goal 13: Recognize selected theories and perspectives of personality.
Goal 14: Recognize and summarize knowledge of psychological disorders and psychological
therapies.

Laboratory Experiences
The student will explore websites regarding how individuals change biologically, neurologically, physiologically, and spiritually through the lifespan with regard to various theories discussed in class.

Policy for Make-Up Exams
For good and valid reasons, a make-up examination will be given. An alternative test of increased difficulty may be anticipated. The test make-up process must be initiated by the student. Failure to initiate a make-up exam, or any other assignment, will result in a score of zero.

Attendance
Class attendance is a necessary and essential ingredient to success in any class at Kingdom College. After all, the classroom is where much of college learning takes place, and where professors often evaluate student progress. It is for this reason that regular and punctual attendance is expected. Multiple absences may result in a lowered grade that requires the class to be retaken. Repeated tardiness and failure to meet course deadlines, and in turn necessitate the need to repeat a class.

Unless otherwise specified by the professor/instructor, the following policy applies to attendance and punctuality:

Students are required to attend class. The professor/instructor will keep accurate records of attendance and tardies. The professor will calculate the semester grade, including the penalty for absences. The professor’s grading scale will explain how absences figure into grade calculation.

A student who accumulates the equivalent of 12.5% excused and/or unexcused absences of class meetings will receive an F in a course. Exceptions to this rule in special circumstances will be granted by the Chief Academic Officer.

The professor/instructor will excuse a limited number of absences due to justifiable emergency reasons and serious illness. College-sponsored events which take place during a student’s class will be considered excused as long as a student’s cumulative absences in a class do not exceed 12.5% of class time. Any Kingdom College employees who take students on events of any nature must submit a list of the participating students to the Director of Enrollment & Student Life at least one week prior to the event. Students who miss class due to their participation in these events must not be penalized and must be allowed to make up all missed work during their absence because of their participation in the event. The responsibility for taking the initiative to inquire about missed work and to follow through with making up the missed work lies with the student alone. A student who has missed class due to a serious medical condition, pregnancy, or childbirth should present a doctor’s signed medical excuse with the dates listed which affected that student’s attendance so that the same consideration above may be given. If a portion of that class’s grade is based on class participation, the professor should develop an alternate assignment which can assess the student in lieu of class participation that is unable to occur during the student’s absence.

Specific examples of excused absences include the following allowances:
• Illness or hospitalization accompanied by a doctor’s excuse
• Death of an immediate family member (spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, child)
• Hospitalization of an immediate family member
• Official school business
• Weddings or special events of family members that are approved in advance by the instructor
• Extenuating circumstances approved by the Chief Academic Officer

Specific examples of unexcused absences include the following examples:
• Schedule conflicts
• Routine doctor appointments
• Oversleeping

All professors/instructors must keep up-to-date records of student absences and tardies. A tardy occurs when a student is late up to ten minutes after the class period begins. Being later beyond ten minutes results in a student absence. The accumulation of three tardies results in one absence from class. A tardy student must be admitted to class.

Grade Appeal Policy
A student grade appeal may be expected to occur on an occasional basis. The philosophy of the College is that such appeals be handled informally if possible. In the cases involving a miscalculation or error in documenting, a Grade Change Form may be completed by the instructor and returned to the Registrar prior to the mid-term of the semester following the one in which the grade was assigned. However, if it is not possible to resolve the matter informally, then a grade appeal must be received in writing in the office of the Registrar by the midterm of the semester/term following the date the grade is issued.

All academic concerns relative to a final grade, except plagiarism, are subject to the steps outlined below. Please note that issues of plagiarism must be handled via the Judiciary Affairs Committee. Also, all issues related to plagiarism must be resolved before a grade appeal request can be addressed.

The following procedure for appealing a grade must be followed in the order listed:
• The student should first contact the instructor to request verification of the grade and how it was calculated.
• If resolved satisfactorily, the matter will be considered closed. If the grade is changed by the instructor, the appropriate procedure for changing grades will be followed.
• However, if the student does not ready a resolution with the instructor, the student should appeal to the Dean formally. The Dean will confer with the student and the faculty member, independently or jointly, in an attempt to reach closure. A copy of a grade appeal form must also be filed with the Registrar.
• If closure is not reached at this level, an Instructional Affairs Committee will review the circumstances presented. The written appeal must state the name of the course, the reasons for the request, the dates involved, the name of the instructor who assigned the grade, and previous attempts at resolving the situation.
• The appropriate Instructional Officer will forward copies of the student’s request letter along with the instructor’s and Dean’s grade appeal response form and any supporting documentation from the student and the instructor to the Instructional Affairs Committee for a hearing. Members of the Instructional Affairs Committee will sit as the investigative body. If the Committee requests additional information for the hearing, the appropriate Instructional Officer will coordinate the collection of information. After the hearing, a final decision will be made. If the Committee decides a grade change is appropriate, that will be requested by written notification to the Registrar and the grade will be changed effective immediately. However, if the Committee decides that the grade will stand, the student will be notified in writing of that decision.
• The decision of the Instructional Affairs Committee is final and may not be appealed.

Academic Dishonesty Appeal
A student may appeal a teacher’s accusation of academic dishonesty regarding plagiarism and cheating when the student believes he or she has been wrongly accused of academic dishonesty.

Academic grievance appeals may be made up to 30 working days after the final grade in a class is received by the student. The first step in the academic grievance process is to set up an appointment with the instructor that the student wants to appeal. If this meeting does not resolve the issue, the second step is to meet with the Academic Chair. If resolution of the issue does not occur, the third step is to set up a conference with the Judiciary Affairs Committee. The decision of the Committee is final.

Credit Hour Policy:

Purpose and Scope of the Policy
This policy defines the credit hour at Kingdom College in accordance with federal Program Integrity Regulations and requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The credit hour policy applies to all courses at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) that award academic credit regardless of the mode of delivery. Academic teams are responsible for ensuring that credit hours are awarded only for work that meets the requirements outlined in this policy.

Federal Definition of a Credit Hour
For purposes of the application of this policy and in accord with federal regulations, a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonable approximates
1. Not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time, or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required outlined in item 1 above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practicum, studio work, and other

Kingdom College Credit Hour Policy
Kingdom College exceeds the Carnegie unit for contact time: 900 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 1800 minutes of out-of-class student work for each credit awarded. Kingdom College defines a class hour as 60 minutes. The expectation of contact time inside the classroom and student effort outside the classroom is the same in all formats of a course, whether it is fully online, a hybrid of face-to-face contact with some content delivered by electronic means, or one delivered in lecture or seminar format.

Guidelines for the Implementation of Kingdom College’s Credit Hour Policy
Traditionally-delivered (face-to-face) courses on the 15-week semester: A 3-hour course must have 2750 minutes of classroom instruction.

Condensed courses: Classes meeting on an accelerated schedule will have the same number of instructional minutes (2750 for a 3-hour class) as those taught in the 15-week semester. A faculty member who, with requisite approval by the dean’s office, wishes to move some of the required direct instructional time to a web-based environment or to another out-of-class experience for pedagogical reasons must clearly delineate in the syllabus the additional out-of-class experiences that will substitute for in-class instruction. Such experiences must exceed assignments required for the fully face-to-face version of the course in order to count toward direct instructional time and must be required, structured, and faculty directed. Faculty are responsible for designing their courses to ensure the required number of direct instructional minutes each week, as well as the expected additional student preparatory work (two hours for each hour of direct instruction). Deans’ offices are responsible for reviewing and monitoring any proposed deviations from the regular face-to-face class schedule.

Hybrid or Online Courses: A course that is delivered partially or fully online must meet the same requirements of 900 minutes of direct instruction and 1800 minutes of student work per credit hour. Faculty teaching online or hybrid courses must account for 45 hours (2700 minutes) of direct instructional time for each 3-credit hour course. The syllabus must clearly delineate direct instructional activities, as well as any required synchronous activities required outside class session times indicated in the schedule. Courses carrying the same course number that are offered both face-to-face and hybrid/one must meet the same learning objectives, be organized around the same or comparable learning activities, and be assessed by similar, comparable assessments.

Activities that count toward direct instructional time include the following:
1. In-class instruction
2. In-class tests/quizzes
3. In-class student presentations
4. Online lecture/instruction (synchronous or asynchronous)
5. Virtual synchronous class meetings
6. Case studies
7. Group Wiki projects
8. Video presentations
9. Journal/Blog writing
10. Chat rooms
11. Discussion boards
12. Field trips (including virtual)
13. Online tests/quizzes
14. Video conferencing
15. Virtual labs
16. Online content modules
17. Service learning
18. Group or team-based activities
19. Podcasts

Thesis/Dissertation and Independent Study Courses: Courses where students are working on independent projects, such as in thesis/dissertation hours and independent studies, will comply with the minimum of 180 minutes of student work per week over a 15-week semester or the equivalent amount of work distributed over a different period of time for each credit hour awarded.

Laboratory Classes: One credit hour is assigned for 60 minutes or more of laboratory work per week throughout a 15-week semester.
Performance/Recital/Ensemble: In accordance with the National Association of Schools of Music recommendations, 1 credit hour of ensemble work or applied music lessons represents a minimum of 3 hours of practice each week, on average, for a period of 15 weeks, plus the necessary individual instruction as defined by the major subject.

Internships, Clinical Experiences, Student Teaching: Such experiential, field-based courses require a minimum of 3 hours of student work per week over the 15-week semester for each credit hour awarded. Student work includes clock hours at the field site and meetings with supervisors, as well as outside preparation and assignments. Programs may require more than the minimum 3 hours of student work per credit hour and may be guided by their specific accrediting bodies or applicable state regulations.

Variable Credit Courses: Courses that are available for variable credit must fulfill the Kingdom College credit hour policy requirements and clearly articulate the expectations of student work for each credit hour.

 

Student Disciplinary Procedures:

General Policy of Conduct
When students are admitted to Kingdom College, they are expected to conduct themselves with self-control and restraint. Rules and regulations cannot be written for every possible violation that could be committed. The general policy of conduct is that Kingdom College students will live a people of faith and conduce themselves in wisdom and in love, with Jesus Christ serving as the model of how to live their daily lives. Please make sure that you have read the Life Together Covenant and the Biblical Responsibilities.

Self-Report
A student who is struggling with a violation or a difficulty in life is always encouraged to seek help from a member of the Kingdom College community. Every effort to restore healing and relationships will be made. The student may initiate a confidential interaction with any staff member at Kingdom College without the threat of disciplinary action. The staff member will work with the student on the personal problem, guiding him or her to making wiser choices and engaging in Christ-like living. In cases when the student’s problem or behavior is self-destructive, harmful to self or others, illegal, or hazardous, exceptions to confidentiality will be made and the student will be referred to the appropriate resource that will serve the student’s best interest.

Values Violations Penalties
A student who commits values violations is subject to one or more of the following penalties.

Values violations are behaviors that are incongruent with Kingdom College’s interpretation of Christian values.
• Reprimand-conversation with the student about how to make wiser choices in the future and a warning of further penalties if the violation continues
• Fine-financial consequence related to the violation
• Loss of privilege from specific college activities
• Counseling with a licensed counselor appointed by Kingdom College to assess the student
• Community service – a designated number of hours serving the community
• University probation – a conditional period where the student’s standing at Kingdom College is in jeopardy, whereby enrollment in the college is dependent on the student not committing further values violations ad also being a good citizen in the college community
• Written assignment – personal reflection paper or research paper related to the values violation
• Immediate suspension – this would occur until a hearing could take place
• University suspension – removal from Kingdom College for the remainder of the semester without reimbursement of tuition
• Final suspension – permanent suspension of the student from Kingdom College

Judicial Process
The purpose of the judicial process is to provide consistency and fairness for the student. Any student who is charged with a values violation will be granted the following rights.
1. Any student, parent, faculty, staff, or guest may submit an oral or written report of the details regarding the violation.
2. This report is submitted to the Director of Student Life, who will set up a meeting with the student if there is enough legitimate evidence to support the violation.
3. The student will be notified in writing by the Director of Student Life of the alleged violation and the meeting. Any student who fails to attend this meeting will abide by the decision made at the meeting without any student input.
4. Prior to the meeting, the degree of involvement will be established. A sanction will be issued.
5. The student will receive written notification of the results of the meeting.
6. Any student may appeal the values violation meeting and any sanctions issued.
7. The result of the meeting may prevent the student from registering for future classes or to be denied his or her degree until the values violations allegations are settled.

Students’ Rights in the Judicial Process
1. Right to be informed of the judicial process
2. Right to a meeting to plead the student’s case
3. Right to be informed of all evidentiary material gathered that ties the student to the values violation(s)
4. Right of the student to give testimony, to decline to testify, and to request personal witnesses be present at the meeting to testify
5. Right to bring a personal witness such as a counselor, advisor, or friend to the meeting

Readmission After Suspension
Any Kingdom College student who has been suspended will be allowed to reenroll by the date that the Judicial Affairs Committee deems appropriate for reenrollment if approved for reenrollment.

Disciplinary Records
The Director of Student Life houses misconduct reports, investigations, and disciplinary actions of students.

Disability Statement
Students requiring accommodations or modifications for a disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. The instructor will refer you to the Kingdom College disability officer to document your disability, determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section 504 and to request a Faculty Accommodation Form. Disability accommodations or status will not be indicated on academic transcripts. In order to receive accommodations in a class, students with sensory, learning, psychological, physical, or medical disabilities must provide their instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form to sign. Students must return the signed form to the Office of Student Life. A new form must be requested each semester. Students with a history of a disability perceived as having a disability or with a current disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are also strongly encouraged to register with the Student Life and request a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information, please contact the Office of Student Life.

Computer Usage Policy
Kingdom College’s computer usage policy is in essence about being a good and wise steward of technology. The following standards do address all areas of stewardship, but they do provide some parameters that when followed, lead to wise stewardship of technology resources.
• Kingdom College technology device and bandwidth usage should not be excessive so that it does not impede on the ability of others to access these resources. Limit personal game playing and social-media usage, especially during peak hours.
• Only Kingdom College students, faculty, staff, and specific guests are authorized to have access to computing, video and voice networks, and ID cards. No student is allowed to give an unauthorized user access to any technological resource of Kingdom College.
• It, or to use illegal software. This does not include all prohibited uses of technology. All federal, state, and local prohibitions regarding technology are also prohibited at Kingdom College.
• All technology and network usage must comply with federal, state, and local law, along with Kingdom College policies. For example, students may not use technology to harass others, to plagiarize, to send email through false user names, to steal other student or staff passwords, to distribute copyrighted material illegally to others, to use shareware without registering mass messages that need to be sent out on behalf of college business on the student’s part are to be considerate of others. The messages are to include the name and the title of the sender of the message. Mass messages only get sent out if they pertain to Kingdom College business.
• As a matter of courtesy, as any reputable airline attendant would say, “Please make sure that all cell phones and other electronic devices are in the ‘off’ position and properly stowed for the duration of our class period.” If it is necessary that you be accessible for emergency reasons, please make sure your cell phone is place in the “vibrate only” mode and that you respond to your call outside of the classroom. As a matter of courtesy, if you think you may need to leave the room during the class period, please sit close to the exit to minimize disruption of fellow students.
• You may bring your laptop or other technology to class and use it to take notes. However, if use of your laptop/technology becomes disruptive or if it impedes your ability to attend to subject matter (i.e., surfing the net, preparing assignments for this or other classes, etc.), you will be asked to shut down your program and leave your laptop/technology at home.